Towards the end of last year, I decided to use my Brand Audits’ framework and tools to conduct an audit on my own personal brand—’Brand Me’. It is not a perfect situation to audit yourself but I used a robust framework and process to keep it as unbiased as possible and included as many ‘external stakeholders’ as possible—ie, I did not ask my mother! This process allowed me to highlight what I had achieved to date but also what I wanted to achieve and more importantly the gaps.

It also enabled me to put in place goals and strategies to close the gaps to reach my goals in 2015. Through this process I am happy to say that I have completed a range of new start-ups; finished my Masters thesis; got my fitness to a level I have never had before; and for fun (and lots of laughs!), attending ballet classes “just because”. And all this was achieved in less than one year.

Annual audits not only keep you on track, but also allow you to celebrate all you have achieved and reflect on your successes. It helps you ‘regroup’ after a diversion or disaster and gives you focus, energy, and motivation to keep going with a clear purpose and direction. I have now completed many personal brand audits for clients and I got to say that I enjoy the process because I see the difference that this makes to people and their lives.